Several courts have recently held that an insured bears the burden of demonstrating proper exhaustion of underlying policies, including where multiple policies are involved in a settlement. These decisions have prevented insureds from accessing millions of dollars in excess coverage based on the unambiguous exhaustion language included in the operative excess policies.
In a closely followed case involving the patentability of DNA sequences of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which account for most forms of inherited breast and ovarian cancer, the Federal Circuit largely followed its prior 2011 ruling and again held that isolated DNA sequences are patent-eligible subject matter.
Counsel Concerns
Puzo Estate's Claim of Breach of 1969 Godfather Agreement Not Preempted by Federal Copyright Law
Subsequent Purchaser of Network Rights Not Liable for Royalties to Original Seller
The digital content era has moved patent issues to the forefront for the entertainment industry. In one recent case, even after winning a patent infringement case, a video-on-demand company still may not get an injunction prohibiting ongoing infringement by defendant Verizon Communications.
In a decision that helps pave the way for Warner Brothers Entertainment and its DC Comics subsidiary to maintain their grip on the Superman franchise, District Judge Otis Wright II of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California rejected a bid by the estate of Superman co-creator Joe Shuster to reclaim partial control over the iconic superhero.
The question of whether a court has personal jurisdiction over the parties in a particular lawsuit is fundamental and often raised. The national scope of the entertainment industry ' from artist concert touring to the interstate distribution of music, motion picture, TV and other creative content ' certainly makes personal jurisdiction a common issue in entertainment litigations. This article examines several recent court rulings as examples of how judges today are determining whether personal jurisdiction exists in entertainment cases.
In-depth analysis of two major rulings.
In June, Southern District Judge Barbara Jones had declared in Windsor v. United States that DOMA is an unconstitutional violation of the equal protection clause, concluding the law bore no relationship to the preservation of marriage. On Oct. 18, the Second Circuit announced its agreement.
This article highlights several practical tips that will increase the probability that a forum selection clause will be enforced to its maximum effect.
